What Is Dehumanization In To Kill A Mockingbird

lthough the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee contains inflammatory content, it should still remain in schools because it teaches the dangers of racism and hatred. The use of racist language throughout the novel conveys reasons for its wrongful removal. African Americans are frequently, almost always degraded and objectified throughout the use of derogatory terms in the novel. When discussing the details of Tom Robinson's "crimes," the barely literate and ignorant Bob Ewell remarks "I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella!" (Lee 323). The fact that Bob's limited vocabulary consists of this extremely offensive term demonstrates his total hatred towards black people. He effectively dehumanizes Tom and doesn't even address him by his name. This dehumanization also is shown when the reader sees how disrespected Tom is at the trial. Mr. Gilmer, the prosecutor exclusively refers to Tom as "boy," to imply he is condescending and intentionally offending him (265). When considering if this should prohibit the use of the novel in schools, one must acknowledge the time period and the fact that this language results in disgust and anger in the reader, which was the author's intent. Furthermore, the brutal and unjust matter that African Americans are treated in in "To Kill a Mockingbird" demonstrates why schools are wrongly prohibiting the teaching of it. Take for example, Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of rape, who was convicted in trial despite the fact that substantial evidence

The argument that this scenario makes people too uncomfortable in schools is the very reason why it should continue being taught. Those who are uneasy seeing this racism so clearly are the same people who need to be exposed to it so explicitly. To conclude, the negative consequences of racism exposed to people in "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee should continue being taught in schools to educate students on racial issues still prevalent